EFSA England hosted the 2024 Championships at Weymouth with the welcome and
opening ceremony being held at the Rembrandt Hotel on Sunday 8 th September. A
chance to catch up with old friends and get the latest information on the event. It
was announced that due to forecasted weather conditions the 2-day Line Class event
would take place on Thursday and Friday not Monday and Tuesday as originally
planned.
Monday 9 th September saw eight boats with 57 anglers aboard head off into the wind
and staying inshore. Several boats stopped for mackerel, but they were hard to come
by. At anchor fishing was difficult as the boats were yawing back and forth in the
wind and with some anglers spending a lot of time fishing under the boat. Drifting for
wrasse and pollack was easier. At the end of the day there were ten anglers on 100%
as on two boats there was a tie for first place. On count back Martin Hubert took the
lead with 99 points, Matt Osbourne 2 nd with 95 points and Mark Smith 3 rd with 79
points.
Tuesday 10 th September was again windy with similar fishing to Monday. At the end
of the day, it had all changed at the top with only two anglers managing another boat
win and 200%. On count back Didier Marest took top spot with 158 points from
Petter Skudal, last year’s champion, on 151 points. In third place was Francis
Couzinet with 198.68 %
Wednesday 11 th September saw the wind easing becoming more off the land, so a
more comfortable fish but boats did not venture too far out. So again, similar fishing,
bream wrasse, pout, gurnards, dogfish, conger and rays made up most of the
catches. Didier held on to his top place with another boat win so a total of 300%.
Francis Couzinet had a boat win to put him on 296% for second place and Torrun
Handeland moved up into third spot with 291.46%.
Thursday 12 th September was Day 1 of the 2-Day Light Line event with each
competitor having to use the 30lb braid supplied for the event. The results for this
event would also be added into the main Boat Championship. The wind had eased,
and the boats were able to get out to the 3 Mile Bank where anglers would be
targeting large fish; conger eel, tope, rays and any other fish over 5lbs. Although the
fishing was easier, we had rain showers, some heavy and squally with a waterspout
being spotted at one point. With nine anglers on 100% it was down to count back to
decide positions. Leading with 270 point was Nico Opdebeeck, second was Heiko
Dreier with 190 points and 3 rd Jason Williams also with 190 points but two less fish.
Meanwhile in the Boat Championship it was all change, with the leaders all having a
bad day. Heiko Dreier moved up into first place with 389.61%. In second place was
Mark Smith with 367% and third was Ray Barron with 326%.
Friday 13 t September saw the final day of the Championships with all to play for in
both the Light Line and the Boat Championships. It was a nice sunny day and lighter
winds so back to the 3 Mile Bank for more big fish.
In the Evening, the Gala Dinner and presentation were held at the Rembrandt Hotel.
Andy Selby announced the results, the prizes were presented by the Mayor of
Weymouth Councillor Jon Orrell and Marcus Wuest
First the Line Class awards were presented with the gold pin going to Mark Smith,
Carl Julien the silver and Michael Lorenzen the bronze.
Top lady in the Line Class was Jacqueline Luef from South Africa with Torunn
Handeland second.
After the Line Class results had been added to the previous three days it was a re-run
of the Light Line event with Mark Smtih the overall winner of the Boat Championship
taking his second gold pin of the evening, Carl Julien the silver and Michael Lorenzen
the bronze.
Top Lady was Torunn Handeland with Jacqueline Luef second.
Top Senior was Paul Hart with Torunn Handeland second and Barrie Senior third.
The National Teams event was won by England A, with Fance second and Denmark
third.
See below for the full results including the best fish categories.
Full Results
Euros Individual Overall
Euros Ladies Overall
Euros Four Man Drawn Overall
Euros Four Man Overall
Euros Two Man Overall
Euros Seniors Overall
Euros International Teams Overall
Line Day 2 2 Man
Line Day 2 4 Man
Line Day 2 Individuals
Line Day 2 Ladies
Line Day 2 Seniors
Other Results For EFSA Euro Boat and Line 2024 Weymouth
